Sikkim is a beautiful state of India but the beauty of North Sikkim knows no bounds. Destinations like Gurudongmar lake, Yumthang valley make this trip magical and the journey to these destinations makes it a lifetime experience.
The moment you start from Gangtok for this trip, you will get the feel of it. There are plenty of waterfalls and view points along the way that are sure to make you cherish the journey.
North Sikkim is one of the best places to visit in India and it is one of the best road trips.
Also checkout our Complete Guide on Sikkim : ALL YOU NEED TO PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SIKKIM
Table of Contents
Daywise breakdown of our trip to North Sikkim
Day 1 : Started from Gangtok and reached Lachen in North Sikkim
Day 2 : Visited Gurudongmar Lake and Kala Pather and stayed in Lachen (Usually the 2nd day stay is at Lachung. But due to pandemic it was not opened for tourists when we visited)
Day 3 : Visited Yumthang Valley, Bhim Nala Waterfall, zero point and transfer back to Gangtok
Booking a taxi for North Sikkim Tour
We booked our North Sikkim tour with Gangtok’s local travel company Raj Tour and Travels. They charge INR 15000 – 18000 per taxi for a 3 days and 2 Nights trip that included a visit to Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley, 2 night stays at Lachen (with breakfast and dinner) and permits required. They customize the trip as per your preferences and charge accordingly.
There are many Tour and Travel Companies in Gangtok offering North Sikkim Tour. Many have their offices in MG Marg, Gangtok.
Among the ones we talked to, we found Raj Tour and Travels the most economical and having done this trip with them, we can say that they provide the best service. Contact Raj Tour and travels @+91-7679826661 for both private and shared taxis.
Sharing taxis to North Sikkim are a budget friendly option. The price of the taxi is shared among 6 people and it costs around 2500-3500 per person for the entire trip.
Accommodation in North Sikkim
We stayed in Lachen guest house (Included in the package of Raj Tours and Travels) during our trip to North Sikkim. It is a budget accommodation. The rooms were clean and the view from the balcony was something we loved the most.
There are many options available in Lachen and Lachung for every budget. You can easily book them online if you want to avail only taxi services of Tour and Travels without accommodation.
Places to visit in North Sikkim
The journey to North Sikkim is long and most of the places in North Sikkim are at high altitude, so it is suggested to stay at Lachen or Lachung before going any further. Lachen and Lachung are towns in North Sikkim where people stay for acclimatization on the day they start from Gangtok. If someone has difficulty breathing at high altitudes, it is not advisable to visit Gurudongmar Lake and Zero Point.
We went on 2 nights and 3 days trip to North Sikkim. You can customize the trip as per your interests and number of days in hand.
Gurudongmar Lake
Gurudongmar lake is among the most pristine lakes in the world. Located at an altitude of 17,800 ft and around 190 kms from Gangtok, it is world’s 3rd Highest Lake. It is considered sacred by the Buddhist and named after one of their gurus. The way to reach Gurudongmar Lake is difficult specially when it snows, but it is a spectacular road trip. Majestic Mountains, frozen rivers, rough terrains and landscape covered in snow, make the journey highly pleasurable.
It takes around 3-4 hours to reach the lake from Lachen depending on the weather and road conditions. Do carry some snacks, energy bars, fruits, nuts and water along as there are hardly any food options on the way.
Gurudongmar Lake is nicely visible from the parking area. But if you are feeling okay, able to breathe normally and up for an adventure, climb down a few stairs to reach the base of the lake.
Try not to jump around or walk too fast, as the low oxygen level may cause difficulty in breathing and fatigue. It is advisable not to spend more than half an hour at the lake.
Café 15000
On 15000 ft, there is a café named ‘Café 15000’ just before reaching the lake which is being run by Army. Hot water, coffee and momos is what you get here.
Permit is required
As the area is close to the border and under Army Control, a permit is required to visit the lake. The tour and travel agency arrange the permits.
Kalo Pather
Named after the black mountains that occupy the area, Kalo Pather is a rather new destination in North Sikkim. While coming back from Gurudongmar Lake, our driver told us about Kalo Pather and we agreed to go. This place is engulfed in snow round the year, so if you are a snow lover this is your place. For us, it was the views where were insane through the road to Kalo pather. But as they say beautiful things don’t come easily, the way to Kalo Pather is even more treacherous than Gurudongmar Lake. The roads are very narrow with the snow & water streams along the way make it even harder to drive on. All we can say is, it’s worth it.
It is not included in the package, so it costs around INR 2500-3000 per taxi.
Yumthang Valley
Popularly known as “Sikkim valley of flowers”, Yumthang valley is around 150 kms from Gangtok. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, with a river flowing in the middle, Yumthang valley has really chill vibes.
During spring time i.e. from Feb to June, the valley blooms with a variety of Himalayan flowers that led to its name ‘Sikkim Valley of Flowers’.
When we visited, the flowers were not there, still we found it an amazing place to soak in the sun and fresh mountain air.
Zero Point
25 kms from Yumthang valley, zero point is where the road ends. After that there is no road and border area starts. It’s covered with snow almost all around the year. The Panoramic view of Yumthang valley while on the way to Zero point is a no miss. Also, the feel of walking towards the end of the road is a feel.
Bhim Nala Waterfall or Amitabh Falls
Bhim Nala Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Sikkim. It lies on the road connecting Chungthang (a town in North Sikkim) to Yumthang Valley. We visited them while on our way to Yumthang valley and the entire setup left us mesmerized. There is a wooden bridge structure that adds more charm to the place.
Tips for travelling to North Sikkim
- The journey is long, do carry some snacks, fruits, energy bars.
- The weather is very cold in this part of Sikkim. Many destinations remain engulfed in snow round the year. So, do carry enough warm clothes including gloves, cap, muffler, woolen socks, shoes, warmers, jackets with you.
- Do carry some medications for mountain sickness as it’s a real thing. If you have difficulty breathing, medications are of great help.
Have a Virtual Tour to North Sikkim
Best Road Journey Ever – Gurudongmar Lake
Places to visit in North Sikkim
If you find this guide helpful, do let us know in the comments.
Travel as responsibly as you can!!! Put the trash in garbage bins only and use reusable water bottles only. As a traveler we have the responsibility of keeping the places we visit clean.